Ebrahim Raisi: Iranian president lacking after helicopter crash in heavy fog

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Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, his international minister and different officers are lacking after a helicopter crashed on Sunday in a mountainous border area throughout heavy fog.

The Bell 212 civilian plane went down between Jolfa and Varzaqan, a area on the border of Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan, round 600km (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran.

It was carrying Raisi, 63, and Iranian international minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province and different officers and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA information company reported.

The plane suffered what state TV referred to as a “exhausting touchdown” after it acquired into problem throughout heavy fog following a go to with the Azerbaijani president to debate an infrastructure challenge over the Aras River, which separates Iran and Nakhchivan.

“We’re nonetheless hopeful however data coming from the crash website may be very regarding,” an Iranian official mentioned. He added that Raisi’s life was “in danger”.

Forty rescue groups together with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and canine had been scrambled to find the helicopter, which was hampered by rain, fog and darkish circumstances.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, ambulances, surgeons, drones and canine had been scrambled to find the helicopter (AP)

The chief of workers of Iran’s military ordered all sources of the military and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be put to make use of in search and rescue operations.

“We’re totally looking each inch of the overall space of the crash,” state media quoted a regional military commander as saying. “The realm has very chilly, wet, and foggy climate circumstances. The rain is step by step turning into snow.”

On Sunday, Iranian state TV reported the helicopter had been discovered and quoted an official claiming a passenger and crew member had been contacted. Nevertheless, Iran’s Purple Crescent denied the studies.

State media has but to report on casualties or verify the whereabouts or situation of the president – however urged Iranians to wish for the president.

Iran’s supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds final energy with a ultimate say on international coverage and Iran’s nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians and urged them to wish for the president’s well being.

“We hope that Almighty God will return the president and his companions to the nation, everybody ought to pray for his or her well being. The individuals of Iran shouldn’t be anxious, there will likely be no disruption within the work of the nation,” Mr Khamenei mentioned.

In Tehran, Iranian women and men had been pictured publicly praying for Mr Raisi, with some kneeling down and a few holding their arms to the sky.

In the meantime, many international locations have supplied their assist to Iran, together with allies reminiscent of Russia, neighbours reminiscent of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the EU.

Russia mentioned it was prepared to increase “all essential assist” within the seek for the lacking helicopter and it hoped the president was nonetheless alive.

The EU additionally mentioned it had offered a satellite tv for pc mapping service to Iran in response to a request by Tehran for assist.

In Tehran, Iranian women and men had been pictured publicly praying for his or her lacking president (AFP)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan added he was “deeply saddened” by the crash and was prepared to supply help to Iran.

“I convey my finest needs to our neighbour, pal and brother Iranian individuals and authorities, and I hope to obtain excellent news from Mr Raisi and his delegation as quickly as doable,” Mr Erdogan mentioned.

President Raisi is a hardliner who previously led the nation’s judiciary. He’s seen as a protégé of Mr Khamenei and a few analysts have urged he might exchange the 85-year-old chief after his loss of life or resignation from the position.

President Raisi received Iran’s 2021 presidential election, a vote that noticed the bottom turnout within the Islamic Republic’s historical past.

President Raisi is a hardliner who previously led the nation’s judiciary (Getty)

He’s sanctioned by the US partially over his involvement within the mass execution of hundreds of political prisoners in 1988 on the finish of the bloody Iran-Iraq conflict.

Iran now enriches uranium at almost weapons-grade degree and hampers worldwide inspections. The nation has armed Russia in its conflict on Ukraine, and launched an enormous drone-and-missile assault on Israel amid its conflict towards Hamas within the Gaza Strip.

It additionally has continued arming proxy teams within the Center East, like Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

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